THE Tyldesley Twelve will be putting in a peak performance this month.

The team from the Bulls Head, Manchester Road, Astley, are going all out to conquer The Three Peaks challenge to help six-years-old leukaemia sufferer Ryan James Philbin, and hundreds of other young cancer victims.

They will scale Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon to raise at least £3,500 to provide a dinamap machine for the oncology unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

This is a vital piece of equipment used to electronically record children's blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and oxygen saturation.

The squad made up of expedition members Tony Hunter, Chris Pealing, Tony Quinn, Dave Wright, Colin Barton, Paul Kinsella, Paul Ralphs, Shaun McCaul, Dennis Sale,Neil Calland, Tony Atkin and Ian Hackett are appealing for more sponsorship for their bid which will go ahead over the June 19-21 weekend.

The idea for the fund raiser developed when the keep-fit fanatics heard of Ryan's diagnosis in February.

They decided to organise the trek to provide the much needed machine.

The pub's relief manager, Peter Johnson, said: "Ryan comes to the pub with his dad, Don. He's a lovely lad.

"He seems to be doing quite well, and is being very brave, doing everything the doctors tell him without a moan.

"The lads have already been out on three or four training walks to boost their fitness in preparation for the event.

"In fact they deserve a medal for what they are doing."

Group secretary, Dennis Sale, said: "We are well on schedule to raise the cash.

"Other pubs in Tyldesley are backing our efforts organising special nights and we'd like to give a big thankyou to the Skenners for their contribution.

"Ryan is a bouncy little character and a mad-keen Liverpool fan. He has now lost his hair after treatment, but last week we cheered him up with the surprise presentation of a Michael Owen signed ball.

"He is back at his Meadowbank, Atherton, school now after some intensive treatment, but he still gets tired."

The group, which will be backed by ground support crew Simon Brotherston, George Greig and Alan Hacket have already received sponsorship from Virgin Trains to provide a minibus to take them to the three destinations, and a second is in the pipeline.

Anyone who would like to contribute, however big or small, should make cheques payable to T3p Challenge. Any loose change can be dropped in at the pub.

Further details from Dennis on 01942-743380.

Pictured: Expedition members on a training hike (pictured) are, left-right Sean McCaul (chairman), David Wright, Tony Hunter and Dennis Sale (secretary).

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